Display device

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first substrate including a first transparent substrate and a pixel electrode, a second substrate including a second transparent substrate and a common electrode opposed to the pixel electrode, a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate and containing a polymer and liquid crystal molecules, a sealant bonding the first substrate and the second substrate and sealing in the liquid crystal layer, and a light-emitting element. The second transparent substrate comprises a side surface opposed to the light-emitting element. A color of the sealant is black, yellow or red.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/313,211 filed May 6, 2021, which is a Continuation Application of PCTApplication No. PCT/JP2019/034026, filed Aug. 29, 2019 and based uponand claiming the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2018-220288, filed Nov. 26, 2018, the entire contents of all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a display device.

BACKGROUND

In general, a liquid crystal display device holds a liquid crystal layerbetween a pair of substrates. A sealant bonds the pair of substrates andseals in the liquid crystal layer. In the liquid crystal display device,particularly, in the transmissive liquid crystal display device whichdisplays an image by selectively transmitting illumination light from abacklight unit, it is proposed to apply a black sealant to suppresslight leakage from the sealant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a displaydevice DSP of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of adisplay panel PNL shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of thedisplay device DSP of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4A is an illustration for explaining an example of themanufacturing process of the display panel PNL.

FIG. 4B is an illustration for explaining an example of themanufacturing process of the display panel PNL.

FIG. 4C is an illustration for explaining an example of themanufacturing process of the display panel PNL.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example inwhich a region including a portion E1 of a sealant SE is enlarged.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration examplein which the region including the portion E1 of the sealant SE isenlarged.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the display panel PNL comprising a reflectivelayer RL shown in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration exampleof the display device DSP of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing the spectral transmittance of thesealant SE applied to the present embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, there is provided a displaydevice comprising: a first substrate comprising a first transparentsubstrate and a pixel electrode; a second substrate comprising a secondtransparent substrate and a common electrode opposed to the pixelelectrode; a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrateand the second substrate and containing a polymer and liquid crystalmolecules; a sealant bonding the first substrate and the secondsubstrate and sealing in the liquid crystal laver; and a light-emittingelement. The second transparent substrate comprises a side surfaceopposed to the light-emitting element. A color of the sealant is black,yellow or red.

The present embodiment will be described hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawings. The disclosure is merely an example, andproper changes in keeping with the spirit of the invention, which areeasily conceivable by a person of ordinary skill in the art, come withinthe scope of the invention as a matter of course. In addition, in somecases, in order to make the description clearer, the widths,thicknesses, shapes and the like, of the respective parts areillustrated schematically in the drawings, rather than as an accuraterepresentation of what is implemented. However, such schematicillustration is merely exemplary, and in no way restricts theinterpretation of the invention. In addition, in the specification anddrawings, constituent elements which function in the same or a similarmanner to those described in connection with preceding drawings aredenoted by the same reference signs, and detailed descriptions thereofwhich are considered redundant are omitted unless necessary.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a displaydevice DSP of the present embodiment. In one example, a first directionX, a second direction Y and a third direction Z are orthogonal to oneanother. However, they may intersect one another at an angle other than90 degrees. The first direction X and the second direction Y correspondto directions parallel to the main surface of a substrate constitutingthe display device DSP, and the third direction Z corresponds to thethickness direction of the display device DSP. It is assumed that anobservation position for observing the display device DSP is located onthe tip side of an arrow indicating the third direction Z, and viewingfrom this observation position toward an X-Y plane defined by the firstdirection X and the second direction Y is referred to as planar view.

In the present embodiment, a liquid crystal display device employing apolymer dispersed liquid crystal will be described as an example of thedisplay device DSP. The display device DSP comprises a display panelPNL, a wiring board 1, an IC chip 2 and a light-emitting element LD.

The display panel PNL has a pair of short sides E11 and E12 extendingalong the first direction X, and a pair of long sides E13 and E14extending along the second direction Y. The display panel PNL comprisesa first substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2, a liquid crystal layerLC and a sealant SE. The first substrate SUB1 and the second substrateSUB2 are formed in a flat plate shape parallel to the X-Y plane. Thefirst substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 overlap each other inplanar view. The first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 arebonded together by the sealant SE. The sealant SE is formed in, forexample, a loop shape, and does not include a liquid crystal injectionport or a filling material. The liquid crystal layer LC is held betweenthe first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2, and is sealed inby the sealant SE. In FIG. 1 , the liquid crystal layer LC and thesealant SE are shown by different diagonal lines.

In one example, the sealant SE is formed in a rectangular frame shapesurrounding the liquid crystal layer LC, and has a portion (firstportion) E1 and a portion (second portion) E2 extending along the firstdirection X and a portion (third portion) E3 and a portion (fourthportion) E4 extending along the second direction Y. The portions E1 toE4 are in contact with the liquid crystal layer LC. Note that thesealant SE may be formed in a circular frame shape or may be formed inanother shape.

As enlarged and schematically shown in FIG. 1 , the liquid crystal layerLC comprises a polymer dispersed liquid crystal containing a polymer 31and liquid crystal molecules 32. In one example, the polymer 31 is aliquid crystal polymer. The polymer 31 is formed in a streak shapeextending along the first direction X. The liquid crystal molecules 32are dispersed in the gaps of the polymer 31, and each are aligned suchthat the major axis thereof extends along the first direction X. Thepolymer 31 and the liquid crystal molecule 32 each have opticalanisotropy or refractive anisotropy. The responsiveness to an electricfield of the polymer 31 is lower than the responsiveness to an electricfield of the liquid crystal molecule 32.

In one example, the alignment direction of the polymer 31 hardly changeswith or without an electric field. On the other hand, the alignmentdirection of the liquid crystal molecule 32 changes according to anelectric field in a state where a high voltage of greater than or equalto a threshold value is applied to the liquid crystal layer LC. In astate where no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer LC, theoptical axis of the polymer 31 and the optical axis of the liquidcrystal molecule 32 are parallel to each other, and light entering theliquid crystal layer LC is transmitted almost without being scattered inthe liquid crystal layer LC (a transparent state). In a state where avoltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer LC, the optical axis ofthe polymer 31 and the optical axis of the liquid crystal molecule 32intersect each other, and light entering the liquid crystal layer LC isscattered in the liquid crystal layer LC (a scattering state).

The display panel PNL comprises a display portion DA in which an imageis displayed, and a frame-shaped non-display portion NDA which surroundsthe display portion DA. The sealant SE is located in the non-displayportion NDA. The display portion DA comprises pixels PX arranged in amatrix in the first direction X and the second direction Y.

As shown enlarged in FIG. 1 , each pixel PX comprises a switchingelement SW, a pixel electrode PE, a common electrode CE, a liquidcrystal layer LC and the like. The switching element SW is composed of,for example, a thin-film transistor (TFT), and is electrically connectedto a scanning line G and a signal line S. The scanning line G iselectrically connected to the switching element SW in each of the pixelsPX arranged in the first direction X. The signal line S is electricallyconnected to the switching element SW in each of the pixels PX arrangedin the second direction Y. The pixel electrode PE is electricallyconnected to the switching element SW. The common electrode CE isdisposed common to the pixel electrodes PE. The liquid crystal layer LC(specifically, the liquid crystal molecules 32) is driven by an electricfield produced between the pixel electrode PE and the common electrodeCE. A capacitance CS is formed, for example, between an electrode havingthe same potential as the common electrode CE and an electrode havingthe same potential as the pixel electrode PE.

As will be described later, the scanning line G, the signal line S, theswitching element SW and the pixel electrode PE are disposed in thefirst substrate SUB1, and the common electrode CE is disposed in thesecond substrate SUB2. In the first substrate SUB1, the scanning line Gextends between the display portion DA and the portion E3 of the sealantSE and between the display portion DA and the portion E4 of the sealantSE, and is electrically connected to the wiring board 1 or the IC chip2. The signal line S extends between the display portion DA and theportion E1 of the sealant SE, and is electrically connected to thewiring board 1 or the IC chip 2.

The wiring board 1 is electrically connected to an extension portion Exof the first substrate SUB1. The wiring board 1 is a foldable flexibleprinted circuit board. The IC chip 2 is electrically connected to thewiring board 1. The IC chip 2 incorporates, for example, a displaydriver which outputs a signal necessary for displaying an image. Notethat the IC chip 2 may be electrically connected to the extensionportion Ex.

The light-emitting element LD overlaps the extension portion Ex. Theplurality of light-emitting elements LD are arranged at intervals alongthe first direction X.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of thedisplay panel PNL shown in FIG. 1 .

The first substrate SUB1 comprises a transparent substrate 10,insulating films 11 and 12, a capacitance electrode 13, the switchingelement SW, the pixel electrode PE and an alignment film AL1. Thetransparent substrate 10 comprises a main surface (lower surface) 10Aand a main surface (upper surface) 10B on the opposite side to the mainsurface 10A. The switching element SW is disposed on the main surface10B side. The insulating film 11 covers the switching element SW. Notethat, although the scanning line G and the signal line S shown in FIG. 1are located between the transparent substrate 10 and the insulating film11, the illustrations thereof are omitted here. The capacitanceelectrode 13 is located between the insulating films 11 and 12. Thepixel electrode PE is disposed for each pixel PX between the insulatingfilm 12 and the alignment film AL1. The pixel electrode PE iselectrically connected to the switching element SW via an opening OP ofthe capacitance electrode 13. The pixel electrode PE overlaps thecapacitance electrode 13 across the insulating film 12, and forms thecapacitance CS of the pixel PX. The alignment film AL1 covers the pixelelectrode PE.

The second substrate SUB2 comprises a transparent substrate 20, alight-shielding layer BM, the common electrode CE, an overcoat layer OCand an alignment film AL2. The transparent substrate 20 comprises a mainsurface (lower surface) 20A and a main surface (upper surface) 20B onthe opposite side to the main surface 20A. The main surface 20A of thetransparent substrate 20 faces the main surface 10B of the transparentsubstrate 10. The light-shielding layer BM and the common electrode CEare disposed on the main surface 20A side. The light-shielding layer BMis located, for example, directly above the switching element SW anddirectly above the scanning line G and the signal line S which are notshown in the drawing. The common electrode CE is disposed over thepixels PX, and is opposed to the pixel electrodes PE in the thirddirection Z. In addition, the common electrode CE covers thelight-shielding layer BM. The common electrode CE is electricallyconnected to the capacitance electrode 13, and has the same potential asthe capacitance electrode 13. The overcoat layer OC covers the commonelectrode CE. The alignment film AL2 covers the overcoat layer CC.

The liquid crystal layer LC is located between the first substrate SUB1and the second substrate SUB2, and is in contact with the alignmentfilms AL1 and AL2.

The transparent substrates 10 and 20 each are an insulating substratesuch as a glass substrate or a plastic substrate. The insulating film 11is formed of a transparent insulating material such as silicon oxide,silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride or acrylic resin. In one example,the insulating film 11 includes an inorganic insulating film and anorganic insulating film. The insulating film 12 is an inorganicinsulating film of silicon nitride or the like. The capacitanceelectrode 13, the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode CE eachare a transparent electrode formed of a transparent conductive materialsuch as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). Thelight-shielding layer BM comprises, for example, a conductive layerhaving a lower resistance than the common electrode CE. In one example,the light-shielding layer BM is formed of a non-transparent metalmaterial such as molybdenum, aluminum, tungsten, titanium or silver. Thecommon electrode CE is in contact with the light-shielding layer BM, andis therefore electrically connected to the light-shielding layer BM.Accordingly, the common electrode CE is made less resistive. Thealignment films AL1 and AL2 each are a horizontal alignment film havingan alignment regulating force substantially parallel to the X-Y plane.In one example, the alignment films AL1 and AL2 are subjected toalignment treatment along the first direction X. Note that the alignmenttreatment may be rubbing treatment or may be photo-alignment treatment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of thedisplay device DSP of the present embodiment. As for the display panelPNL, only the main part thereof is illustrated here.

The light-emitting element LD is opposed to a side surface 20C of thetransparent substrate 20 in the second direction Y. The light-emittingelement LD is electrically connected to a wiring substrate F. Thelight-emitting element LD is, for example, a light-emitting diode, andalthough not described in detail, the light-emitting element LDcomprises a red light-emitting portion, a green light-emitting portionand a blue light-emitting portion. Note that a transparent lightguidemay be disposed between the light-emitting element LD and the sidesurface 20C.

In the present embodiment, the color of the sealant SE sealing in theliquid crystal layer LC is black, yellow or red. The sealant SE isformed by, for example, mixing an ultraviolet curable resin with acolored filler. As the colored filler, for example, a black fillercontaining carbon black, titanium black or the like, a colored fillercolored in yellow or red, or the like can be applied. Furthermore, thesealant SE may contain fillers colored in two or more different colors.For example, the sealant SE may be formed by mixing a black filler and ared filler. Note that another filler such as silicon dioxide (silica)may be mixed for the purpose of the adjustment of viscosity, thesecuring of mechanical strength, the reduction of moisture permeabilityand the like of the sealant SE.

Next, light L1 to be emitted from the light-emitting element LD will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3 .

The light-emitting element LD emits light L1 toward the side surface20C. The light L1 emitted from the light-emitting element LD travelsalong the direction of an arrow indicating the second direction andenters the transparent substrate 20 from the side surface 20C. The lightL1 entering the transparent substrate 20 travels inside the displaypanel PNL while being repeatedly reflected. The light L1 entering theliquid crystal layer LC to which no voltage is applied is transmittedthrough the liquid crystal layer LC almost without being scattered. Inaddition, the light L1 entering the liquid crystal layer LC to which avoltage is applied is scattered in the liquid crystal layer LC. Thedisplay device DSP can be observed from the main surface 10A side aswell as from the main surface 20B side. Furthermore, the display deviceDSP is a so-called transparent display, and the background of thedisplay device DSP can be observed via the display device DSP regardlessof whether the display device DSP is observed from the main surface 10Aside or from the main surface 20B side.

Incidentally, the light L1 traveling toward the sealant SE is absorbedin the sealant SE. In particular, when the color of the sealant SE isblack, most of the wavelength range of visible light of the light L1traveling toward the sealant SE is absorbed by the sealant SE. Inaddition, also when the color of the sealant SE is yellow or red, aspecific wavelength range of visible light (specifically, visible lighton the short wavelength side such as blue) of the light L1 travelingtoward the sealant SE is absorbed by the sealant SE. Therefore,undesirable reflection and scattering in the sealant SE can besuppressed, and deterioration of display quality can be suppressed. Inaddition, it is possible, by adjusting the content percentage of ablack, yellow or red filler contained in the sealant SE, to adjust notonly the color of the sealant SE but also the viscosity, moisturepermeability, mechanical strength and the like of the sealant SE.

FIGS. 4A to 4C each are an illustration for explaining an example of themanufacturing process of the display panel PNL.

First, as shown in FIG. 4A, a sealant material SB which is the base ofthe sealant SE is formed in a loop shape on the first substrate SUB1.Then, a liquid crystal material LB which is the base of the liquidcrystal layer LC is dropped inside surrounded by the sealant materialSB. At a moment when the liquid crystal material LB is dropped, thesealant material SB is in an uncured state. Note that the sealantmaterial SB may be formed in a loop shape on the second substrate SUB2and the liquid crystal material LB may be dropped onto the secondsubstrate SUB2.

After that, as shown in FIG. 4B, the first substrate SUB1 and the secondsubstrate SUB2 may be bonded together. Accordingly, the liquid crystalmaterial LB spreads over the entire region surrounded by the sealantmaterial SB. The monomer and the liquid crystal molecules contained inthe liquid crystal material LB are aligned along the first direction Xby the alignment regulating force of the alignment films AL1 and AL2shown in FIG. 2 .

After that, as shown in FIG. 4C, ultraviolet light is radiated towardthe sealant material SB and the liquid crystal material LB. Theultraviolet light to be radiated has a peak wavelength around 365 nm to400 nm, for example. The sealant material SB is cured absorbing theradiated ultraviolet light, and forms the sealant SE. Accordingly, thefirst substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 are bonded together.The monomer contained in the liquid crystal material LB is polymerizedabsorbing the radiated ultraviolet light, and forms a streak-shapedpolymer extending along the first direction X. The liquid crystalmolecules contained in the liquid crystal material LB are dispersed inthe gaps of the polymer in a state of being aligned along the firstdirection X. Accordingly, the liquid crystal layer LC sealed in by thesealant SE is formed.

The ultraviolet light radiated to the sealant material SB is mostlyabsorbed in the sealant material SB. Therefore, in a region of theliquid crystal material LB which is close to the sealant material SB,the growth abnormality of the polymer due to the undesirable reflectionand scattering of ultraviolet light in the sealant material SB can besuppressed. Therefore, the polymer can be made uniform in almost theentire region of the liquid crystal layer LC, and deterioration ofdisplay quality can be suppressed.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example inwhich a region including the portion E1 of the sealant SE is enlarged.The second substrate SUB2 comprises a spacer SP. The spacer SP is formedof, for example, transparent resin, and is disposed on the overcoatlayer OC. The spacer SP is in contact with the first substrate SUB1, andforms a predetermined cell gap between the first substrate SUB1 and thesecond substrate SUB2. The sealant SE surrounds the spacer SP, and is incontact with the alignment films AL1 and AL2 on the side adjacent to theliquid crystal layer LC.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration examplein which the region including the portion E1 of the sealant SE isenlarged. The configuration example shown in FIG. 6 is different fromthe configuration example shown in FIG. 5 in that the second substrateSUB2 comprises a reflective layer RL. The reflective layer RL is locatedbetween the transparent substrate 20 and the portion E1 of the sealantSE. This reflective layer RL is formed of, for example, the samematerial as the light-shielding layer BM. For example, as described withreference to FIG. 2 , the reflective layer RL is formed of anon-transparent metal material such as molybdenum, aluminum, tungsten,titanium or silver.

The reflective layer RL and the light-shielding layer BM are in contactwith the transparent substrate 20. The common electrode CE covers thelight-shielding layer BM and is in contact with the transparentsubstrate 20. Note that the common electrode CE may be apart from thereflective layer RL.

Accordingly, the light L1 traveling from the light-emitting element LDtoward the sealant SE is reflected by the reflective layer RL withoutbeing absorbed in the portion E1 of the sealant SE. Therefore, the useefficiency of light can be improved. In addition, when the reflectivelayer RL is disposed, the reflective layer RL is formed in the sameprocess as the light-shielding layer BM, and the number of manufacturingprocesses will not be increased.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the display panel PNL comprising the reflectivelayer RL shown in FIG. 6 . The reflective layer RL extends along thefirst direction X, and overlaps the portion E1 of the sealant SE anddoes not overlap the other portions E2 to E4. In addition, thereflective layer RL is disposed between each of the light-emittingelements LD arranged in the first direction X and the display portionDA. Therefore, light from any of the light-emitting elements LD can bereflected by the reflective layer RL.

The description continues with reference to FIG. 6 again. The sealant SEcomprises an inner end portion I1 being in contact with the liquidcrystal layer LC and an outer end portion O1 located on the oppositeside to the inner end portion I1. The reflective layer RL comprises aninner end portion I2 and an outer end portion O2. The inner end portionI2 is located between the outer end portion O1 and the inner end portionI1 along the second direction Y. That is, the inner end portion I2overlaps the sealant SE along the third direction Z. The outer endportion O2 is located between the side surface 20C of the transparentsubstrate 20 and the outer end portion O1 along the second direction Y.That is, the outer end portion O2 does not overlap the sealant SE. Theouter end portion O2 may overlap the side surface 200.

In the portion E1 of the sealant SE, a width W1 along the seconddirection Y from the outer end portion O1 to the inner end portion I2 isgreater than a width W2 along the second direction Y from the inner endportion I2 to the inner end portion I1. When the sum of the widths W1and W2 which is the total width of the end portion E1 is 500 to 800 μm,the width W2 is preferably greater than or equal to 50 μm.

As described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C, when ultraviolet light isradiated to the sealant material SB, if the entire sealant material SBis covered with the reflective layer RL, sufficient ultraviolet lightwill not be radiated to the sealant material SB, and the curing of thesealant material SB will be inhibited. In particular, when a part of thesealant material SB which is in contact with the liquid crystal layer LCis uncured, impurities will seep from the sealant material SB into theliquid crystal material LB, and display quality will be adverselyaffected.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 6 , the reflective layer RLdoes not overlap the region of the sealant SE which is located on theside adjacent to the liquid crystal layer LC. Therefore, in themanufacturing process of the display panel PNL, sufficient ultravioletlight is radiated to the part of the sealant material SB which is incontact with the liquid crystal material LB, and the sealant material SBis cured. Therefore, the seepage of impurities from the sealant materialSB into the liquid crystal material LB can be suppressed.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration exampleof the display device DSP of the present embodiment. The configurationexample shown in FIG. 8 is different from the configuration exampleshown in FIG. 3 in that the display device DSP comprises a transparentsubstrate 30 bonded to the transparent substrate 20. The transparentsubstrate 20 is located between the liquid crystal layer LC and thetransparent substrate 30 along the third direction Z. The transparentsubstrate 30 is an insulating substrate such as a glass substrate or aplastic substrate, and has an equal refractive index to the transparentsubstrates 10 and 20. The transparent substrate 30 comprises a mainsurface (lower surface) 30A, a main surface (upper surface) 30B on theopposite side to the main surface 30A, and a side surface 30C. Thetransparent adhesive layer AD is interposed between the main surface 20Bof the transparent substrate 20 and the main surface 30A of thetransparent substrate 30. The adhesive layer AD has an equal refractiveindex to the transparent substrates 20 and 30. Note that being equalhere is not limited to when the refractive index difference is zero butalso includes when the refractive index difference is less than or equalto 0.03. The light-emitting element LD is opposed to the side surface20C of the transparent substrate 20 and the side surface 30C of thetransparent substrate 30 along the second direction Y.

In this configuration example, the light L1 emitted from thelight-emitting element LD enters the display panel PNL from the sidesurfaces 20C and 30C.

Also in this configuration example, the same effects as those obtainedin the above-described configuration example can be obtained. As for thestructure of the region including the portion E1 of the sealant SE,either of the configuration example shown in FIG. 5 and theconfiguration example shown in FIG. 6 can be applied.

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing the spectral transmittance of thesealant SE applied to the present embodiment. The horizontal axis showsthe wavelength, and the vertical axis shows the transmittance. Thetransmittance here is a transmittance measured in the portion E2 of theblack sealant SE, and the sealant SE at the measurement location doesnot overlap non-transparent conductive layers such as a wiring line anda circuit. The spectral transmittance of the sealant SE is less than orequal to 10% at least in a wavelength range of greater than or equal to380 nm but less than or equal to 780 nm. In the illustrated example, thespectral transmittance in this wavelength range is almost 0%. As for theyellow or red sealant SE applicable to the present embodiment, thespectral transmittance at least in the wavelength of greater than orequal to 380 nm but less than or equal to 780 nm is less than 10%similarly.

As described above, this sealant SE is formed by absorbing almostwithout transmitting ultraviolet light radiated to the sealant materialSB in the manufacturing process of the display panel PNL. The spectraltransmittance of the uncured sealant material SB and the spectraltransmittance of the cured sealant SE depend on the spectraltransmittance of the filler contained therein. The filler does notchange in quality before and after the radiation of ultraviolet light,and the spectral transmittance almost does not change accordingly.Therefore, the description here will be based on the assumption that thespectral transmittance of the sealant SE and the spectral transmittanceof the sealant material SB are almost identical to each other.

According to the sealant SE having the above-descried spectraltransmittance, it is found that the transmittance of ultraviolet light(having a peak wavelength around 365 nm to 400 nm) radiated toward thesealant material SB in the manufacturing process is almost 0%. That is,almost no ultraviolet light is transmitted through the sealant materialSB (or scattered in the sealant material SB) or reaches the liquidcrystal material LB. Therefore, the growth abnormality of the polymer ofthe liquid crystal material LB can be suppressed in the region close tothe sealant material SB. In addition, the deterioration of displayquality due to the growth abnormality of the polymer can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the transparent substrate 10 corresponds tothe first transparent substrate, the transparent substrate 20corresponds to the second transparent substrate, the transparentsubstrate 30 corresponds to the third transparent substrate, the innerend portion I1 corresponds to the first inner end portion, the outer endportion O1 corresponds to the first outer end portion, the inner endportion I1 corresponds to the second inner end portion, the outer endportion O2 corresponds to the second outer end portion, the width W1corresponds to the first width, and the width W2 corresponds to thesecond width.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a displaydevice capable of suppressing deterioration of display quality can beprovided.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

An example of the display device obtained from the configurationdisposed in the specification will be appended below.

(1)

A display device comprising:

a first substrate comprising a first transparent substrate and a pixelelectrode;

a second substrate comprising a second transparent substrate and acommon electrode opposed to the pixel electrode;

a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and thesecond substrate, and containing a polymer and liquid crystal molecules;

a sealant bonding the first substrate and the second substrate, andsealing in the liquid crystal laver; and

a light-emitting element, wherein

the second transparent substrate comprises a side surface opposed to thelight-emitting element, and

a color of the sealant is black, yellow or red.

(2)

The display device of item (1), wherein

the second substrate comprises a reflective layer, and

the reflective layer is located between the second transparent substrateand the sealant.

(3)

The display device of item (2), wherein

the sealant comprises a first inner end portion being in contact withthe liquid crystal layer and a first outer end portion located on anopposite side to the first inner end portion, and

the reflective layer comprises a second inner end portion locatedbetween the first inner end portion and the first outer end portion.

(4)

The display device of item (3), wherein the reflective layer comprises asecond outer end portion located between the side surface of the secondtransparent substrate and the first outer end portion.

(5)

The display device of any one of items (3) and (4), wherein in thesealant, a first width from the first outer end portion to the secondinner end portion is greater than a second width from the second innerend portion to the first inner end portion.

(6)

The display device of item (5), wherein the second width is greater thanor equal to 50 μm.

(7)

The display device of any one of items (2) to (6), wherein

the second substrate comprises a light-shielding layer located betweenthe second transparent substrate and the liquid crystal layer, and

the reflective layer is formed of a same material as the light-shieldinglayer.

(8)

The display device of item (7), wherein the light-shielding layercomprises a conductive layer having a lower resistance than the commonelectrode, and is electrically connected to the common electrode.

(9)

The display device of any one of items (1) to (8), further comprising athird transparent substrate bonded to the second transparent substrate,wherein

the second transparent substrate is located between the liquid crystallayer and the third transparent substrate, and

the third transparent substrate comprises a side surface opposed to thelight-emitting element.

(10)

The display device of any one of items (1) to (9), wherein a spectraltransmittance of the sealant is less than or equal to 10% in awavelength length of greater than or equal to 380 nm but less than orequal to 780 nm.

(11)

The display device of any one of items (1) to (10), wherein

the sealant has an ultraviolet curable resin and a filler, and

the filler includes at least one of a black filler containing carbonblack or titanium black and a colored filler colored in yellow or red.

(12)

A display device comprising:

a first substrate comprising a first transparent substrate and a pixelelectrode;

a second substrate comprising a second transparent substrate and acommon electrode opposed to the pixel electrode;

a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and thesecond substrate, and containing a polymer and liquid crystal molecules;

a sealant bonding the first substrate and the second substrate, andsealing in the liquid crystal layer; and

a light-emitting element, wherein

the second transparent substrate comprises a side surface opposed to thelight-emitting element, and

the sealant contains a colored filler colored in at least one of black,yellow and red.

(13)

The display device of item (12), wherein

the sealant further has a ultraviolet curable resin, and

the colored filler is a black filler containing carbon black or titaniumblack or a colored filler colored in yellow or red.

(14)

The display device of item (2), comprising a plurality of thelight-emitting elements arranged in a first direction, wherein

the reflective layer extends along the first direction in planar view.

(15)

The display device of item (14), wherein the polymer extends along thefirst direction.

(16)

The display device of item (14), wherein

the sealant has a first portion and a second portion extending along thefirst direction, and a third portion and a fourth portion extendingalong a second direction intersecting the first direction,

the first portion is located between the light-emitting elements and thesecond portion, and

the reflective layer overlaps the first portion and does not overlap thesecond portion, the third portion and the fourth portion.

(17)

The display device of item (7), wherein the light-shielding layer andthe reflective layer are in contact with the second transparentsubstrate.

(18)

The display device of item (8), wherein

the light-shielding layer is in contact with the second transparentsubstrate, and

the common electrode covers the light-shielding layer and is in contactwith the second transparent substrate.

(19)

The display device of item (18), wherein the common electrode is apartfrom the reflective layer.

(20)

The display device of item (9), further comprising a transparentadhesive layer interposed between the second transparent substrate andthe third transparent substrate, wherein

the adhesive layer has an equal reflective index to the secondtransparent substrate and the third transparent substrate.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a first substrate comprising a first transparent substrate and a pixel electrode; a second substrate comprising a second transparent substrate and a common electrode opposed to the pixel electrode; a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate, and containing a polymer and liquid crystal molecules; a sealant bonding the first substrate and the second substrate, and sealing the liquid crystal layer; and a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a first direction, wherein the second transparent substrate comprises a side surface opposed to the light-emitting elements, a color of the sealant is black, yellow, or red, the second substrate comprises a reflective layer, the second substrate and the reflective layer are in direct contact with each other without another layer interposed therebetween, the reflective layer is located between the second transparent substrate and the sealant, the reflective layer extends along the first direction in planar view, the sealant includes a first portion and a second portion extending along the first direction, and a third portion and a fourth portion extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, the first portion is located between the light-emitting elements and the second portion, and the reflective layer overlaps the first portion and does not overlap the second portion, the third portion, and the fourth portion.
 2. A display device comprising: a first substrate comprising a first transparent substrate and a pixel electrode; a second substrate comprising a second transparent substrate and a common electrode opposed to the pixel electrode; a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate, and containing a polymer and liquid crystal molecules; a sealant bonding the first substrate and the second substrate, and sealing the liquid crystal layer; and a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a first direction, wherein the second transparent substrate comprises a side surface opposed to the light-emitting element, a color of the sealant is black, yellow, or red, the second substrate comprises a reflective layer, the reflective layer is located between the second transparent substrate and the sealant, the reflective layer extends along the first direction in planar view, the reflective layer does not overlap the liquid crystal layer in planar view, the sealant includes a first portion and a second portion extending along the first direction, and a third portion and a fourth portion extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction, the first portion is located between the light-emitting elements and the second portion, and the reflective layer overlaps the first portion but does not overlap the second portion, the third portion, and the fourth portion. 